Service Learning
Mike Simpson
Secondary School Principal
May 24, 2024
Service learning at ISY can take many forms. Grade 8 students are finishing the year working on service projects that benefit our school community and Chinthe Fund partners. These projects are run out of their Social Studies class but draw on what they are learning in all courses.
By following the stages of the ISY Service Learning Cycle (Investigation, Preparation, Action, and Demonstration), students start with identifying a need, prepare and plan to meet that need, and then take action. A big part of this is identifying people and organizations in the community that they can partner with to ensure that their has the biggest possible impact.
Below are two examples of Grade 8 student-led projects developing out of what the students are learning in class. Both are wonderful examples of our students being ‘a force for positive change in the world.’
Solar Power at Kalihtaw School
An example of such a project is a project to provide Kalihtaw School with solar power. Last week, a small group of students visited Kalihtaw school to do an assessment of what their energy needs are. They visited with an ISY parent who has experience in energy project such as this and another supporter of Kalihtaw School. Both had a lot of knowledge that they could share with the students as they completed their assessment. The students will continue to work with these partners until Kalihtaw School has the power they need.
This week, another group of students will be visiting the Yangon Animal Shelter to do an assessment of the energy needs out there.
Building at CLC
The Care to the Least Center (CLC) orphanage is one of our Chinthe Fund partners.
This week, a small group of Grade 8 students visited CLC to identify what their needs might be. After consultation with the CLC Director, it was established that their most pressing need is for another building – somewhere for younger children to eat and study. Our students interviewed staff to determine how many children the building would need to cater for and what facilities it should include. Based on their investigation, they will now draw up some plans that they will be able to show to designers and contractors who we can partner with to take action and make this building a reality.
The Photographic Society: Monochromatic Measures
Check out The Photographic Society’s Monochromatic Measures. The photographs are beautiful.
We feel appreciated!
Thank you to our wondeful Parent Association and parent community for treating us today. All staff and faculty enjoyed a delicious lunch and teachers received lovely notebooks with messages from students inside. We feel very fortunate to have such a generous parent community supporting us.
Secondary School Events
This week:
Friday, May 24 – Sunday, May 26: Middle Years Model United Nations at ISY
Saturday, May 25: High School Prom – 6pm to 9pm at Sedona Hotel
Tuesday, May 28: Graduation – 5pm to 8pm at Pan Pacific Yangon
Friday, May 31: Middle School Dance – 5:30pm – 8pm in ISY Gym
Upcoming Events
June 5: Quarter 4 / Semester 2 Report Cards live on Powerschool
June 7: Last Day of School. 11:30am finish
SEASAC Awards Ceremony
Yesterday, we held our High School SEASAC Awards Ceremony. SEASAC stands for South East Asia Student Activities Conference. Along with students from other top international schools in the region, our students compete and participate in activities that include sports, art and music, and Model United Nations.
Yesterday’s ceremony recognized those students who were in competed and participated in a SEASAC group and/or in our local YAC (Yangon Athletics Conference) sporting competitions.
Sports, Arts, Model United Nations, and Service all provide our students opportunities to do what they love and represent the best qualities of an ISY student. It is through these activities that our students develop a sense of belonging and achievement that gives them the confidence to take on challenges and uncover their strengths.
During yesterday’s ceremony I was excited by three things. The first was how young many of our athletes happened to be this year. Our teams were very well led by our Seniors this year and those younger students learned a lot. The next few years promise to be exciting ones for our sports teams. Secondly, it was great to see artists represented at the awards. This year we sent students to both the SEASAC Music and Arts conferences and we will again next year. Finally, I was reminded that we offer a lot of options for students to follow their interests and passions. We are smaller than most SEASAC schools and the fact that we are able to offer the same options as them can be attributed to the commitment of our teachers and staff to provide them.
Myanmar Breakfast Expo
Come and enjoy a traditional meal on our Covered Court. All parents are welcome! Every week on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 7:30am – 10:30am until May 31. The price is only 3,000 kyats per serving. Breakfast is also available until 10:30am for students!
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Monday – Mohingar
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Wednesday – Wai Wai Shan Noodles
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Friday – Coconut Noodle soup
Why not enjoy a variety of refreshing coffees, smoothies and soft drinks available from Gusto and Nourish at ISY. Come along and enjoy a social breakfast with our community!
Activities & Athletics
Here is a link to Mr. O’Sullivan’s Athletics and Activities Blog for up-to-date information regarding Activities and Athletics at ISY.
Lost Property
Please note that any lost property that is not claimed by the end of this week will be donated to our Chinthe Fund Partners: Kalihtaw School and Care to the Least Center (CLC).
Grade 8 Looking Forward to Grade 9
Transitions
While we still have a lot to do in the last three weeks to finish this year strongly, we are very much focused on smooth and successful student transitions into next year.
We place a lot of importance on transitioning students into their next grade level. We are also very careful to emphasize that all students are part of the same compassionate community – regardless of their grade level or whether they are in Elementary, Middle or High School.
This year, we have been very deliberate in strengthening the connections between the Elementary, Middle and High Schools. Last year, we combined the Elementary and Secondary School Offices, many of our teachers teach in Elementary and Secondary School, Middle and High School students continue to attend the same assemblies and celebrations together, and there have been some wonderful collaborations between grade levels across the school. Next year, we have more plans to strengthen student connections across the school.
The connections between students from different parts of the school are also clear to see on the playground and the way that they interact with each other. This is very pleasing to us as it shows that our students feel that they belong to the same community and this is a feeling that we will keep nurturing at ISY.
As our students change grade levels or change from Elementary to Middle to High Schools, it is very helpful for them to feel that they are moving through the same community instead of moving on to a different one. The confidence that comes from belonging to a strong community is what makes for smooth and successful transitions through each student’s time at ISY.
Middle School Dance
The International School Yangon
20 Shwe Taungyar Street
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 (0) 9 880 441 040